Client Rights and Responsibilities

You have certain important rights guaranteed to you as a client of The Providence Center which we want you and/or your parents or guardian to know, understand, and exercise. These rights include:

Equal Treatment

The right to be treated without regard to race, religion, gender, age, marital status, national origin, sexual preference, developmental disabilities or mental or physical handicap.

The right to have access to translated materials or translators who can assist you if English is not your first language.

The right to be provided treatment and services in an environment free of abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, humiliation, and any other human rights violation.

You have the right to access self-help, advocacy, and legal services.

The right to be protected from coercion.

Confidentiality and Privacy

The right to privacy, security, and confidentiality of your identity, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment.

The right to have your identity, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment kept confidential by the entire staff.

The right to be treated respectfully regarding your privacy;

The right to understand how your Protected Health Information (PHI) is disclosed for purposes of treatment, payment, and healthcare operations (these types of disclosures are further defined in the Notice of Privacy Practices, which is provided to you along with this document).

The right to the confidentiality of your medical records and source of payment for services (except as otherwise noted in the Notice of Privacy Practices).

The right to require your consent for the use of tape recordings, videotapes, and/or photographs of you, and to be informed of their purpose.

The right to provide or refuse authorization for family members or others to participate in your treatment or for the release of confidential information to family members or others.

The right to access your medical records in compliance with applicable state and federal laws in sufficient time to make decisions regarding your care.

The right to be given information regarding your pertinent legal rights relative to the Representative Payee Program, when applicable.

The right to enroll in the Rhode Island Healthcare Information Exchange.

Treatment with Dignity

The right to be treated with respect for your personal dignity.

The right to receive safe and considerate treatment in the least restrictive environment.

The right to refuse to participate in any research study without losing treatment services.

The right to exercise your rights as a client of The Providence Center without fear of adverse consequences.

The right to refuse to perform services for The Providence Center in place of paying treatment fees, unless this is an agreed-upon part of your treatment plan.

Service by Qualified Staff

The right to have qualified, competent staff supervise and provide you with services.

The right to be provided, upon request, information about the credentials, training, professional experience, and specialization of your providers and their supervisors.

The right to obtain the Center’s Code of Ethics, upon request.

Information about Treatment and Medications

The right to be informed of interventions, services, treatment and medication in a language that you understand

The right to have the opportunity to ask questions about your rights.

The right to be given the name, professional qualifications, and position of the staff member responsible for your care, as well as their supervisor’s name.

The right to be informed in advance if there is a proposed change in your primary therapist.

The right to be informed of what to expect when you receive treatment

The right to be told about the risks, benefits and side effects of any proposed medications, interventions, services or treatment.

The right to refuse any treatment, medication, to the extent permitted by law and to be informed of the likely results of your refusal.

The right to be informed in advance if you are to be transferred to a different treatment program, and the right to be given an explanation for my transfer.

The right to receive a copy of the patient brochure, which contains program rules, services provided, clients’ rights, and other important information.

The right to receive the following information during orientation and upon verbal or written request:

accreditation status of The Providence Center;

discharge policies;

areas of treatment specializations at The Providence Center;

hours of operation;

emergency contact procedures;

procedures for resolving concerns and complaints.

general services provided by The Providence Center.

The right to be informed of your rights during orientation to The Providence Center, whenever The Center makes a change in the rights statement, and upon verbal or written request.

The right to be informed about the use of a seclusion or restraint for an emergency situation only and when less restrictive measures have been attempted and failed

The right to be informed about, and to participate in, decisions regarding your treatment and services and to receive the information necessary for you to make informed decisions, including:

Your current diagnosis

The limitations of confidentiality;

Projected discharge date and plan;

Potential Risks if treatment is not provided;

Ongoing review of your treatment goals and mutually agreed upon adjustments of the treatment or service plan.

The right to object to any changes in treatment, services or personnel, and the right to a clear and written explanation if such an objection cannot be accommodated.

The right to be referred to an alternate service, program or treatment setting if you would be better served at a different level of care.

The right to screening for pain management, with a referral to your health care provider if appropriate.

Participation in Your Treatment Plan

The right to participate in the development of your treatment plan and to receive treatment accordingly;

The right to request a change of provider, clinician, or service, and if the request is denied, the right to receive a written explanation.

The right to be informed of the cost of services, the source of The Providence Center reimbursement and any limitations placed on your treatment,

The right to have your treatment plan reviewed and updated periodically;

The right to review your medical records with your primary therapist and/or to request a review of your treatment plan by another staff member (at no cost) or by an outside consultant (at your expense);

The right to be informed of relevant alternative medications, treatment, services or interventions when appropriate;

The right to participate in planning aftercare activities and referrals to other community services such as spiritual services that may help in your recovery or improvement

The right to provide feedback on The Providence Center program policies and services through satisfaction surveys.

The right to be provided, upon your request, information regarding charges billed to, and payments made by, an insurance company on your behalf.

Client Responsibilities

Your responsibilities as a client are to:

Participate in treatment planning;

Come to sessions in an alcohol and drug free condition;

Pay copays and any fees that you have agreed to per my signature on the Client Fee Agreement;

Respect the privacy of other clients of The Providence Center;

Attend all appointments or give adequate prior notice of cancellation;

If you miss 2 or more appointments in outpatient programs within a 6 month period you may be discharged from treatment and will be asked to attend an orientation group prior to returning to treatment

Be familiar with your rights, responsibilities, and treatment;

Provide accurate information about yourself that is relevant to your treatment;

Comply with the rules of the specific program to which you are assigned;

Treat other clients and staff respectfully.

Concerns/Formal Complaints

You, your family, legal guardian, or advocate have the right to initiate a complaint or grievance if you feel that an agency policy, procedure, or action has infringed upon your rights.

Concern and Complaints Procedure

In the event that you are dissatisfied with any aspect of your treatment or care, you have a right to initiate a complaint by contacting the staff person responsible for your care or by contacting the human rights officer at the facility where you receive care. If you are uncomfortable making a complaint or need assistance doing so, you can ask a friend or family member to help or represent you. You will be offered a copy of the Concern and Complaint Resolution Procedure or you can make a verbal or written request for a copy from a Providence Center staff member. The staff member providing assistance will make every attempt to resolve the concern.

When it cannot be resolved at this level, it will be considered a formal complaint, and you will be offered assistance in writing and submitting the complaint to the human rights officer and acquiring an advocate, if you prefer. The complaint will be logged by the human rights officer, and within four (4) business days of making a formal complaint, you will receive a written and verbal confirmation of the officer’s receipt of this complaint.

Within five (5) business days or less of the receipt of the complaint, the human rights officer will make an attempt at early resolution. If the problem is not resolved, the officer will investigate the circumstances surrounding the complaint, including speaking with people who may have other information or knowledge of the situation. The investigation will be completed within fifteen (15) days or less from the receipt of the complaint.

If the issue is resolved, a report noting the resolution will be forwarded to the designated department or staff person. If the issue is not resolved, you will be informed of your right to appeal. If you choose to appeal, you will be reminded of your option to choose an advocate and will be offered assistance with this. You may also contact: